Accident on M-61 leaves two Bay County residents dead

GIBSON TWP. — A collision between a motorcycle and a tractor on M-61 Monday evening left the two motorcycle riders dead.

Kevin Hatfield, 26, of Bentley was operating the motorcycle alongside his passenger Shilo Runberg, 20, of Bay City while traveling eastbound on M-61, according to a press release by the Michigan State Police. At approximately 8:15 p.m, a farm tractor also traveling east signaled a left turn onto Carter Road. The state police say that witnesses reported the tractor was in mid-turn when the motorcycle tried to pass it on the left, crashing into the rear wheel.

Neither motorcycle rider was wearing a helmet, and they were both ejected from the bike, causing fatal injuries, according to the release. The tractor driver was uninjured.

The crash is still under investigation by the state police, who said in the release that speed believed to be a contributing factor to the crash. Anyone with information on the crash is encouraged to contact the Michigan State Police’s Bay City post at 989-684-2234.